Tallpidae

Moles are not actually rodents. They may resemble rats and mice but are more closely related to bats. These small mammals spend most of their lives underground in burrows and tunnels. They are found all over the world. Their digging habits notoriously destroy lawns, gardens, and golf courses.

Identification – What do moles look like?

Moles are brown to dark gray with soft fur. They have long snouts that protrude about an inch from their faces. Mole’s front feet are oversized with paddle-like hands and large claws that help them dig. They are 5 to 8 inches long and weigh less than a pound. Their average life-span is 3 to 6 years. Moles have 1 litter a year.

Habitat and Habits of moles

Moles live and forage underground in broad systems of tunnels and burrows located in grasslands, woodland, sand dunes, yards and gardens. They prefer soil that is loose and moist. Moles are active throughout the day and night year-round. One mole’s underground territory can extend up to 2.7 acres. A mole’s digging behavior creates molehills and mole runs. The molehills are cone-shaped mounds of soil about 6-24 inches in diameter and about 2 to 8 inches high. The mole runs are irregular trails of pushed up soil about 3 inches wide.

Diet – What do moles eat?

Moles are insectivores. Most of their meals consist of worms, grubs, and insects. They rarely eat plants.

Mole Control- How to get rid of moles?

The process of removing moles from a lawn or garden can be tedious. Rocky Mountain Bird and Pest strives to reduce the population through trapping. Trapping moles is the most effective technique to control moles. Rodenticides do not work to control moles.